A private chef dishes on HelloFresh vs. Home Chef: Which one should you get?

When you’re a part-time private chef, the bar for food is high.Clients don’t care that you were out until 2 a.m.

or that you cooked for twenty the night before — they want their halibut flaky, their risotto perfect, and their expectations exceeded.So when I decided to test two of the biggest meal delivery services on the market — Home Chef vs.

HelloFresh — I didn’t approach it like a tired millennial looking to simplify weeknight dinners.I approached it like someone who has seared $70 steaks for people who tip in Birkin bags (I wish).Spoiler: these boxes delivered.

Not every dish was a hit, but both brands have carved out a space in the weeknight meal game for a reason.I was genuinely impressed by the quality of ingredients, the ease of recipes, and the fact that I didn’t have to schlep to Whole Foods with a list longer than my last relationship.

Comparing Home Chef to HelloFresh wasn’t just fun, it was delicious, and oddly therapeutic.It gave me a much-needed break from menu planning, but still satisfied my compulsive need to judge everything on a scale from “sad hotel breakfast” to “Michelin-adjacent.”So if you’re debating between the two — comparing things like Home Chef vs.

HelloFresh prices, recipes, menus, or even who’s running the better promo code right now — I’ve got you.This review is for home cooks, food snobs, and chaotic chefs alike.

Let’s dig in.Pros:Cons:Home Chef was founded to make home cooking accessible without sacrificing flavor or quality.They specialize in comforting, classic meals that feel homemade without being high maintenance.

Think of it as the meal kit version of your favorite diner-meets-bistro — no frills, just satisfaction.It’s best for busy families, picky eaters, or anyone who wants solid meals without spending 45 minutes slicing aromatics.Who it’s best for: Picky eaters, comfort food lovers, and people who want oven-ready or 15-minute meals.

Home Chef is like the steady guy who show...